[android-developers] How to detect the launch of another application?

Hi,

I would like to be able to detect the launch of another app/activity from my service.

I was previously able to do this on gingerbread/froyo devices via inspection of logcat messages, specifically something like:

I/ActivityManager: Starting: Intent ... cmp=packagename} from pid xxxx

Once I detect this, I would check the packagename for a match.

ICS has a slightly different log output for the launching of apps, but it still displayed something that can be detected and captured.

However, some phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S2 with ICS doesn't display this when apps are launched.

Yet, there are apps out there that are able to detect app/activity launches on the Galaxy S2, for example, Smart App Protector. I've looked at the apps permissions and it does request for access to logcat. However, what use is that if the phone doesn't print anything to logcat upon app/activity launches?

Additionally, APP Lock another similar app that is also able to detect app launches, but does not even request for logcat access permissions.

What are some possible ways that these apps are able to detect app launches?

Thanks!

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